Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Risk and Technology Review RTR For Secondary Lead Smelters

In December 2010, US EPA initiated its Risk and Technology Review (RTR) for Secondary Lead Smelters. The review will address both EPA's obligation under Clean Air Act (CAA) section 112(f)(2) and 112(d)(6) to conduct a residual risk review and to conduct a technology review.

Under the "technology review" provision of CAA section 112, EPA is required to review maximum achievable control technology (MACT) standards and to revise them "as necessary (taking into account developments in practices, processes and control technologies)" no less frequently than every 8 years. Under the "residual risk" provision of CAA section 112, EPA must evaluate the MACT standards within 8 years after promulgation and promulgate standards if required to provide an ample margin of safety to protect public health or prevent an adverse environmental effect. These reviews will address possible residual risks, technology advancements, and technical deficiencies in the existing MACT.

The MACT standards for Secondary Lead Smelters, also known as the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Secondary Lead Smelters, were promulgated in 1995 under Clean Air Act Section 112(d). The standards establish emission limitations and work practice standards for all new and existing secondary lead smelters that produce refined lead from lead scrap, mainly recycled spent lead acid batteries.

EPA anticipates the RTR for Secondary Lead Smelters will be published in the Federal Register in May 2011.